THE silly season has officially arrived, it can be confirmed. Liverpool fans are alive with the sound of jangling, with rumours turning to fact as quickly as you can say ‘re-tweet’.

The Reds are being linked with more names than Russell Brand in his womanising prime. Agents and players – and the odd mischief-maker behind a computer screen – are ensuring that Brendan Rodgers’ transfer shortlist stays heftily stocked. As the boss himself said: “We could end up with five or six teams, come pre-season, if you believe everything you hear.”

But while Liverpool supporters work themselves into a frenzy over targets or non-targets, Anfield officials will continue to work diligently behind the scenes, to ensure the new Reds boss has the best possible chance of success in his maiden season on Merseyside.

It has been suggested this week that Rodgers is facing the first true ‘test’ of his reign, with Premier League champions Manchester City circulating hungrily around Martin Skrtel, the club’s Player of the Year last season.

And while that might be over-egging the pudding slightly – City are yet to table a formal offer, while the player remains on his honeymoon – it is true that the Reds face a battle to convince the Slovakian that his future lies at Anfield.

Whether it is a battle they should be too keen on entering, however, is another matter.

Skrtel’s form last season was undoubtedly impressive, and he displayed a consistency that was sorely lacking in many of his colleagues. At 27, and approaching the final two years of his contract, he could be forgiven for wondering whether now might be the time he needs to move in order to add serious medals to his collection.

Yet, similarly, Liverpool could be forgiven for wondering whether £20m would represent good business sense for a player who, despite notable improvements, still displays many of the limitations that so hampered him in his early years on Merseyside. His use of the ball, for example, and his marking at set pieces could both be improved.

Skrtel is undoubtedly a fine defender, and one who has improved markedly over the past 12 months. But he is far from indispensable at Anfield. Losing Pepe Reina, Daniel Agger, Lucas Leiva or Luis Suarez would be a far greater blow to Liverpool’s ambitions.

Liverpool have plenty of options within their current squad; Sebastian Coates and Martin Kelly both have bags of potential as central defenders – and a mooted £20m windfall would give Rodgers plenty to work with in the market.

The wider implication should Skrtel decide his future lies elsewhere – and there is no indication yet that he will – is that Liverpool are a selling club, one that is unable to hang on to their big names.